Estelle 50 Cotton Lux

We have a fun new yarn coming soon. Possibly next week.

A luxurious multicoloured yarn that combines vibrant hues with a touch of sparkle. Each skein features a unique blend of colours that transition seamlessly, creating one-of-a-kind pieces with a subtle shimmering effect. 

93% Cotton, 4% Polyester, 3% Polyamide 

Hand wash in cool water up to 40 degrees with mild detergent. Gently wash without rubbing or wringing. Rinse well, press out water, reshape, and lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry.

• Meters Per Ball: 320 m
• Yards Per Ball: 350 yds
• Needle Size/Tension: 3.75-4.0mm | 22-24 sts

The yarn is a DK weight so you have many, many pattern options.

Download the Simple Top-Down Tee pattern by Amanda Kaffka, knit in Estelle 50 Cotton Lux. 

The yarn is on the website and as soon as I have confirmation that it has shipped I will add the quantities so you can order. 

Hello from Banff

Dad and I are having a great time. We arrived at our hotel at 9pm last night so we were tired by the time we got here. 

We flew Porter from Hamilton. I was able to get the hockey game on my iPad for dad to watch - he isn’t the best flyer.

There hasn’t been any knitting. Today we did a wildlife tour. It lasted 3 hours and we saw many different mountains and lakes with some animals thrown in - mountain sheep and deer. Banff is beautiful.

I pulled out my ipad after dinner to share pictures. I have so many from today. I’d like to keep writing but I’m exhausted. I didn’t sleep well and then I was up at 5am. I did a lot of walking today and my body is almost ready for bed. We meet in the lobby at 7am to head to the train. Our suitcases need to be packed and ready so it will be early tomorrow again. There will be lots more pictures to share over the next few days. 

LYS Day and Malabrigo

Malabrigo is celebrating LYS Day with us. If you purchase the yarn for any of these 4 patterns we can give you the code to download that pattern for free.

Ansonia is a cowl pattern knit with 2 skeins of Malabrigo Sock. You can purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

From Malabrigo

All coupons can be redeemed on Ravelry and will be valid from April 25th through May 10th, giving your customers a bit of extra time to explore and cast on.

Ellison is a shawl knit with 5 skeins of Rasta.

Tuva is a great sock pattern knit with one skein of Malabrigo Ultimate Sock. Don’t forget to ask for the code on LYS Day when you purchase a skein of Ultimate Sock.

Cushman is knit with Malabrigo Rios.

It’s going to be a busy day in the store - if you are purchasing yarn for any of these patterns please remind us to give you the code.

My yarn is ready to go

I don’t know how much time I will have to blog while dad and I are away. We have to be out of our room before 7am and then we could be 12 hours on the train each day. Then get to the hotel, check in, have dinner and relax for a bit before an early bed time. I have some posts scheduled for while we’re away. If I have time to write then there will be bonus posts. I have a feeling there will be a lot of pictures.

The first four skeins of my Inclinations Shawl are done. I’ve knit too far to take it away with us so new skeins have been wound.

Our dining room table is covered with clothes, snacks, prescriptions and anything else I think we’ll need. The dogs are starting to get a bit antsy wondering what’s going on.

Beth is getting excited about her time alone. No worrying about dinner for everyone - she can eat whatever she wants. She can watch whatever she wants. She can be as loud as she wants. She’s going to have a great week.

Lynn the model

Here is Lynn in her King Salmon sweater. It fits her perfectly.

Lynn came to work wearing her Skylights Tee. She used 3 balls of Noro Silk Garden Sock. Next Saturday the yarn will be on sale for 10% off. Lynn used colour 1 which we are out of but we have other colours that would look great.

You can purchase the pattern for the Skylights Tee on Ravelry.

The pattern calls for fingering weight - Tanis is wearing the sweater knit in sock yarn. You have many many yarn options if you choose this route.

A classic raglan tee, but make it elegant. With a pretty eyelet detail at the shoulders and a statement panel down the front that features both lace and cables, this tee is anything but basic. I chose to knit mine to a slightly cropped length, a style that I find I’m reaching for more and more these days. Knit in my favourite fingering weight yarn, this tee is my new summer staple.

The store is ready for next Saturday. Signs have been hung and Lynn has the shelves straightened. We will be open again at 11am on Saturday April 25th. 

Honey Petal

Andrea Mowry has a new cardigan pattern.

As we move into the warmer months, the air conditioning has me wishing I had a little cardigan to toss on whenever I need it all year round. With a gentle v-neck and a fun play on stripes, this cardigan can be worked up in a cotton/linen/silk blend yarn, as I have done, for those warmer months of the year, or pick out a nice squishy wool yarn for added warmth during the colder seasons!

This raglan cardigan is knit from the top down (meaning you can try it on as you go and add length to suit your own personal style!), seamlessly, beginning with the yoke. Once the yoke is completed, the sleeves are placed on hold while the body is knit. The sleeves are then returned to the needle and knit down from the body. The button band is picked up around the front opening and knit out.

You can purchase the pattern for Honey Petal on Ravelry.

Photos © Andrea Mowry

We don’t have that yarn that Andrea used but we do have lots of sportweight yarns that would work.

It’s laundry time. I hope everyone had a good day. It was beautiful in Ancaster. 

Arne & Carlos Sock Yarn

We have a new sock yarn. 

We’re kicking off spring in style with six, brand new, vibrant colourways from the duo who continue to set the standard in sock‑knitting trends. Smart gradients and self‑patterning colours do the work for you creating striking designs as you knit.

Easy Care Socks: Machine wash at 40°C & tumble dry 

The yarn is available online and in the store.

Arne & Carlos are back – with 65 brand-new festive decorations to knit, inspired by the magic of a Norwegian winter!

Best-selling and globally beloved knitters Arne & Carlos have created 65 charming new knitted designs so that you can bring a touch of a Scandinavian winter into your own home this festive season. Each of the seasonal balls is adorned with stylish, colorful motifs to make your tree sparkle with festive cheer. 

65 New Christmas Balls to Knit features:

• Advice on selecting tools and materials, including yarns, fillings and additional sparkly embellishments
• Photographic step-by-step advice on all the key techniques required, including casting on, increasing, decreasing, working stranded colourwork and making a hanging loop
• The basic pattern to get you started, which is the basis of all 65 knitted balls
• Themed collections for the 65 decorations, such as Let It Snow, featuring fir trees and snowflakes; Flora and Fauna, including holly and reindeer; and Traditional, which harks back to ski jumper design motifs and red, white and green colorways. Each of the patterns is explained by a chart; there are no complicated instructions to follow; so once you’ve mastered the basic pattern you can create any of the designs simply and easily
• 7 delicious Christmas cookie recipes inspired by the designs, for a true taste of a Scandinavian Christmas.

Enjoy the festive magic, God Jul*, and happy knitting!

The book is in stock and available online and in the store.

It’s amazing how much you can get knocked off the ‘to do list’ when you get out of bed at the crack of dawn. Dad had an appointment with his Urologist this morning. Everything is great - all his numbers are good and he doesn’t visit again for another year. Beth took him down to St. Joe’s and I stayed at home with the dogs. I washed floors and cleaned the kitchen. I added the Arne & Carlos sock to the website. Then I started LYS Day printing. I want everything finished by tomorrow. Lynn is working with me on Saturday and when the store closes we are going to get the store set up for LYS Day. I’m going to hit the wall this afternoon but I’m on a roll this morning.

Lykke needle restock

Mr. UPS came in early this morning with a box of Lykke needles. This is a brand new case colour - Black Denim Effect. 

The website has been updated.

It’s been ‘get the store in order’ day. I spent a few hours this morning redoing the wall of Emma’s Practically Perfect Sock to make sure all the colours are on the wall. Then I went through our bags of extra stock and got them somewhat in order.

Just before I was leaving Canpar Nick stopped by with a box. I’ll share the contents tomorrow.

My other job this afternoon was to continue working on LYS Day.

Coming to the store to shop? Bring cash - weather permitting we will set up a table outside with select pattern books. These will be priced at $10 each (a great deal). Cash only. All money collected will be donated to CityKidz. 

My pile of books is getting larger and larger. I’ve added books from

• Rowan
• Noro
• Modern Daily Knitting
• Pom

You won’t be disappointed.